What are religions???

There is so much talk about the religions and most of the terrorist activities are the result of religious intolerance. What really is a religion? do you we actually need them? what role does it play in our lives in this society? Can we choose or drop a religion just like buying vegetables? Why do religions compete with one another to convert people and make their religion world’s number one ? what role does it play in changing our lives?

I had to shift to Gujarat a short period and I being new to the apartment, my neighbors gathered around me for general introduction. The first question one Gujarathi women asked me was ” Are you Hindu”. I went there the year after the communal riots and i knew how religions plays a major role in that part of the country. I was a Hindu and so i shake my head with discomfort. The women who asked me that question now smiled at me comfortably, while the next door neighbor asked, “do you eat non- veg”. I had to lie here as me and my kids eat though i don’t cook at home. we were basically into a vegetarian community but we started eating with friends.

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Later one day my next door neighbor found out that we buy non- veg and eat inside the house and from then on she and others stopped talking. Her daughter got married and i was the only one not invited among the 80 houses. All because i was non- vegetarian.

This incident still lingers in my mind as i wonder how a religion or a habit can make someone your enemy or most unwanted. India is said to be a secular state and we are know for religious tolerance. Being of the same religion they couldn’t permit me eating meat, hence one can imagine how people of other religions would have been treated. Why such intolerance when we are all human and the color of blood is still red be it a Muslim or a Hindu. Is being born into a particular religion my fault? Will this attitude change the very next moment i convert into yours??